REGULAR MEETING
July 15, 2019
A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Busti was held on Monday, July 15, 2019 at 6:45 p.m., at the Town of Busti, Town Administration Building, 125 Chautauqua Avenue, Lakewood, New York with the following members present:
Supervisor Jesse M. Robbins
Councilman Jim Andrews
Councilman Rudy Mueller
Councilman Kenneth Lawton
Absent: Councilman Todd Hanson
Supervisor Robbins called the meeting to order with the salute to the flag and a moment of silence was observed.
Present at the meeting were: LBPD Chief John Bentley, Highway Superintendent Melvin Peterson, Attorney Joel Seachrist, Chautauqua County Legislator PJ Wendel, Paul and Jamie Gustafson, Addie and Jake Lawton, Susan Lane, and Busti Fire Dept Chief Matt Stafford.
Town Clerk Darlene Nygren reported 710 Transfer Stickers, for 2019-20, have been sold to date. Dog Control Officer, Beth Moss, continues conducting the Dog Enumeration and has reported 142 unlicensed dogs, of which 49 are now licensed. Any unlicensed dog counted in the census will be assessed a one-time unlicensed dog fee of $5.00 at the initial licensing. Clerk Nygren and other tax collectors met with the Chautauqua County Tax Department on Friday, July 12th for a vendor presentation regarding the printing and mailing of tax bills. Currently, the county does not have a printer and no longer has a Print Dept, therefore all bills are being printed off site. The vendor proposal would include printing, folding, and mailing tax bills for County Town, Village, and School taxes which could conceivably be a savings for all organizations. The county is required to advertise for bids prior to contracting with any vendor for such service. Jack Knowlton informed Clerk Nygren the new cemetery signs have been installed, except for Wilcox and Bush Cemeteries where the only access is through private property. He would like the board’s opinion as to where to place the signs: directly on the cemetery property or in a right of way near the cemetery location. Clerk Nygren noted Councilman Hanson had reported National Grid has begun the LED streetlight conversion. Lastly, Clerk Nygren noted she and Highway Superintendent Peterson have discussed the need to require a key deposit for access to the new restrooms/concession stand at Loomis Park and would like the board’s opinion. Also, they recommend the town to establish Rules and Regulations for both the Loomis and Lawson Park rentals, as well as update the rental contract. Clerk Nygren has received sample Park Rules and Regulations from other municipalities as a reference. Supervisor Robbins asked Attorney Seachrist to review the samples and create an updated Rental Agreement for the town parks.
Chief John Bentley reported the department has handled 5,055 incidents ytd and 684 since his last report. He has received high speed complaints for the five-corners in the Hamlet and on S. Main Street, officers are monitoring the areas. Chief Bentley noted there were little issues over the 4th of July holiday, both in the Village and outside the Village.
Highway Superintendent Melvin Peterson reported the department assisted with storm damage in the west corner of the Village of Lakewood. They have paved 1 7/10th mile on Kortwright Road. The department will work in the Town of Stockton, under shared services, assisting with stone and oiling roads; as well as with the Village of Lakewood on Shadyside Road. Copper Ridge/Pewter Rock development has had issues with storm drainage with the recent heavy rains. Highway Superintendent Peterson has spoken to the homeowners, who contacted Legislator Lisa VanStrom and Chautauqua County Soil and Water about the issue.
Busti Fire Department Chief Matt Stafford reported the following incidents for the past month: 21 – EMS, 3 – Fires, 3 – Motor Vehicle Accidents, and 3 – Service Calls; there have been 204 total incidents year to date compared to 177 last year.
Legislator Wendel noted the Legislature will soon begin work on the annual budget and continues to address the concern of availability of EMS personnel throughout the county.
Attorney Joel Seachrist noted he has not been informed of any upcoming meetings with the City of Jamestown, Town of N. Harmony, and the Town of Busti to discuss the Water & Sewer Agreement.
Attorney Seachrist will draft a Local Law with an addition to the Zoning Code regarding Telecommunication Towers, the board can review the draft at the August 5th meeting, if the draft is approved a public hearing will be scheduled.
Highway Superintendent Peterson reported notice was published in the Post Journal requesting bids to repair the roof of the Highway Cold Storage building. A single bid was received, from Complete Construction, and opened Friday, July 12th at noon. The job total bid was $31,000 including material; stating the cost of materials will be deducted from the total if purchased by the town and dump fees are not included.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti Town Board accept the bid as presented from Complete Construction to repair the Highway Cold Storage roof, in the amount of $31,000.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins noted Endurance Factor is organizing a “4 for 44 Team Relay Running Event” scheduled for September 8th and hosted at Southern Tier Brewing; this is the third year for the event. The organization has notified Lakewood Busti Police Chief of the event, provided a course map and a Certificate of Insurance, and requested approval from the Town of Busti Town Board.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution, which was duly moved by Councilman Andrews:
RESOLVED, the Town of Busti Town Board approve the “4 for 44 Relay Running Event” scheduled for September 8, 2019 and hosted at Southern Tier Brewing.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins noted the town received the Certificate of Final Special Franchise Full Values for the 2019 Assessment Rolls.
Supervisor Robbins noted residents on S. Main Street Extension have experienced major flooding and erosion issues on their properties, which could lead to potential damage to a nearby bridge; Councilman Mueller has been working with the residents and Chautauqua County Water and Soil to resolve the issue. Chautauqua County Water and Soil is applying for the following grant through NYS DEC – 2019 Water Quality Improvement Project – Round 16, Non-Ag Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Grant Request Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Supervisor Robbins motioned the Town Board submit a letter to Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District in support of the grant application; motion was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All in favor, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved the following resolution which was duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
RESOLVED, that Supervisor Robbins be authorized and directed to pay the presented General Fund, Highway Fund, and the Joint Recreation Fund for Abstract No. 9 from warrant #371 to and including warrant #431 in the amount of $194,058.73.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved to accept the June 17, 2019 Regular Town Board meeting minutes; motion was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All in favor, carried.
Councilman Lawton reported Chautauqua Lake Partnership has requested to partner with the Town of Busti in submitting New York State Consolidated Funding Application – Department of State – Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant submission entitled Restoring Aquatic Habitat in Chautauqua Lake and New York State Consolidated Funding Application Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) – Water Quality Improvement Project Program grant submission entitled Mobitracs. CLP is working with a grant writer who will write and submit the applications designating the Town of Busti as the lead agency.
Councilman Lawton motioned the following resolution which was duly moved by Supervisor Robbins:
RESOLVED, Chautauqua Lake Partnership be authorized to submit the New York State Consolidated Funding Application – Department of State – Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant submission entitled Restoring Aquatic Habitat in Chautauqua Lake and New York State Consolidated Funding Application Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) – Water Quality Improvement Project Program grant submission entitled Mobitracs: designating the Town of Busti as the lead agency on both applications; and Supervisor Robbins be authorized to submit letters to Secretary of State Rosanna Rosado, Office of Planning Development and Community Infrastructure as support of the said grant applications.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Highway Superintendent Peterson reported the electrician will begin the final electrical work at Loomis Park Concession Stand and Restrooms. Hard wire will be installed in the restrooms to allow the use of hand blowers. He recommends a formal agreement be created between the town and soccer club addressing the use of the concession stand/kitchen area.
Supervisor Robbins moved at 7:25 p.m. the board enter Executive Session to discuss employee matters; motion was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All in favor, carried.
Supervisor Robbins moved at 8:14 p.m. close Executive Session and enter Regular Session, noting no motion or action was made in Executive Session; motion was duly moved by Councilman Andrews.
All in favor, carried.
Councilman Andrews moved the following resolution, duly moved by Councilman Mueller:
RESOLVED, Supervisor Robbins be authorized to pursue a combined Code Enforcement between the Town of Busti and other municipalities.
Upon roll call vote, all aye, carried.
Councilman Andrews reported he received a couple complaints of flooding with the recent heavy rainfall, particularly within the Village of Lakewood. The issue has since been addressed by the Village.
Supervisor Robbins moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. which was duly moved by Councilman Lawton.
All in favor, carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Darlene H. Nygren, Town Clerk